Our lives can often flash right before our eyes and without even knowing it we are already into next year.  I regularly go into life autopilot mode, making sure the tasks are ticked off, doing the daily routine and keeping to that tight schedule, but when is there room for more? Carpe Diem, what a phrase “seize the day” sounds great but do we really do it?  Do we really take every opportunity in each day?

Recently I’ve been reading a book by Joe Thorn entitled “Note to Self” it was one of those Amazon purchases which doesn’t grab you straight away, but has infact been a really great book for refocusing my spiritual attention. Each day in the book Joe sets out a theme and daily prayer not as a study tool or personal devotion but rather a personal sermon. A page a day, a simple prayer to speak into your own soul, a reminder of who God is and what he continually does in your life.

I’m someone who has the privilege to teach & preach to others fairly regularly, but it’s often easy to be two steps ahead in your preaching and thinking compared to the practicalities of living it out in your own life. My old pastor used to call it “letting your soul catch up with your spirit.” However there is a real sense that more often than not we all need to preach to ourselves.  I need to set my own mind, my own spiritual life needs directing before I speak into the lives of others.  The truth is, this isn’t  limited to just something ministers need to do, but rather as men need to do all do this.

We should be regularly preaching to ourselves, reminding ourselves of who we are in God, the truths of his character and what he has, and is doing in our lives.  Why?… Because we can better lead our families in the truths of Gods word.  We can build our marriages on the central message of Jesus death and resurrection. In our social and working lives we can better represent Jesus to our friends and colleagues.

Carpe Ipse is the Latin for “seize yourself,” taking hold of yourself.  I am challenged daily to take hold of my own walk with God, to seize each reminder that God’s goodness his faithfulness is ever-present in my life. Carpe Diem should always follow Carpe Ipse, seize yourself before you go for the whole the day!

Simon Whitley – Enable Team
Simon is one of the Ministers at Coventry Elim. For more ramblings on life, faith and formula1 follow Simon on Twitter.